Uplift Front-Line Workers with Flexible Scheduling, Pay

Hourly workers face a host of complexities and challenges when it comes to flexible work schedules and pay. Last-minute schedule changes, seasonal fluctuations, and employers cutting hours to manage costs are just a few of the realities these workers regularly face, leading to unpredictable income, difficulties balancing personal life with work obligations, and a limited ability to adjust their schedules based on critical needs such as child care and doctor’s appointments.

Jarah Euston, an advocate for the hourly workforce and co-founder and CEO of WorkWhile, a San Francisco-based platform that connects hourly workers with employers offering flexible shifts, spoke to SHRM about the challenges these workers face and what employers can do to alleviate those difficulties.  

SHRM: What are some of the most pressing challenges hourly workers endure?

Euston: Hourly workers face significant challenges, including uncertain scheduling, financial insecurity, and difficulty finding roles that meet their needs. Workers have schedules that are simultaneously rigid and unpredictable, making it impossible to plan or take on other paid work. Inconsistent schedules, in turn, often lead to financial instability, as workers struggle to sustain themselves between unpredictable paychecks. Workers also need the flexibility to take shifts at other jobs, as many find that one job alone isn’t enough to cover their expenses. These challenges resonate with me personally: My very first job was as an hourly worker at Party City, where I experienced these issues myself.

Flexible work is a game changer, as only 12% of hourly workers prefer traditional 9-5 jobs. Without the stability of traditional jobs, flex work offers workers a chance to make a steady income and support their families and financial goals on their own terms. Front-line workers are the backbone of the economy and deserve better support. With 83 million hourly workers in the U.S., addressing these systemic issues is crucial for improving quality of life and creating a sustainable workforce.

SHRM: What can employers do to alleviate those difficulties?

Euston: Businesses can ease the challenges front-line workers face by adopting flexible, empathetic, and inclusive practices. For instance, offering worker-driven scheduling allows employees to choose shifts that align with their personal schedules, accommodating needs like child care or elder care.

Our worker survey found that parents are nearly five times more likely to prefer flexible work over traditional 9-5 schedules. Fair wages and benefits for part-time or temporary workers are equally important, improving financial security, morale, and productivity. Offering workers same-day pay would allow them to immediately take care of their economic needs and alleviate financial stress and uncertainty.

Embracing flexible work and embedding it into labor plans demonstrates a company’s commitment to valuing its workforce. This not only reduces turnover and improves productivity but also builds a more resilient, satisfied team—creating a win-win for both workers and businesses.

SHRM: What is WorkWhile’s role in addressing these challenges?

Euston: WorkWhile makes flexible work convenient and accessible for both companies and workers. We empower front-line workers by giving them control over their schedules and connecting them with opportunities that suit their lives. At the same time, we help companies integrate flexible work solutions into their labor plans to scale their workforce efficiently and meet labor demands.

Our platform allows workers to choose when and where to work, enabling them to balance responsibilities while earning a reliable income. The app streamlines finding and managing shifts, reducing the effort required to secure work. Additionally, WorkWhile ensures workers are treated fairly, paid promptly, and provided with benefits like access to telehealth.

WorkWhile alleviates staffing shortages by connecting employers with dependable, pre-vetted workers and integrating flex work into labor plans. This ensures smoother operations and better demand management. The platform makes it easy for companies to provide these opportunities to workers by managing backend compliance that many companies find too burdensome to complete on their own.